MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
APRIL 19, 2005

The April regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by Secretary Anthony Henry at 6:14 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith (6:35), Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Mr. Robert L. Bowman, Mr. Dan McGinnis (7:20) and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Absent:  Mr. Ken Woltman and Dr. Perry Davis

Also Present:  Student Board Members Breanna Hill and Matthew Bradley

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps JROTC offered the Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Recognitions
In honor of Month of the Young Child a PowerPoint presentation was shown that captured the District’s preschoolers in action, and in addition preschoolers were present and performed three songs.

Praise and recognition was extended to the Benton Harbor Area Schools Mens Varsity Basketball team for their outstanding season as regional champs.  The varsity players, coach, athletic director, and manager received certificates of recognition.  Benton Harbor High School senior Wilson Chandler was also recognized for being chosen as Michigan’s Mr. Basketball.

Minutes  
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mr. Bowman that the Minutes of the work session of March 1, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman that the Minutes of the special meeting of March 1, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. Henry that the Minutes of the regular meeting of March 8, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort that the Minutes of the special hearing of March 31, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mr. Bowman that vendor payments in the amount of $1,483,937.90 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Activity of the General Fund was reviewed and accepted as presented.

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the BHHS Class of 2005 Senior Lock-In to be held on June 10, 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Board of Education, Benton Harbor Area Schools, meet in closed session on the following dates:

Tuesday, April 19, 2005 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, May 3, 2005 before, during or following
the work session of the Board of Education on that date,

at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area, 870 Colfax Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan, in said District for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel litigations, negotiations and possible expulsions.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education renew the contracts for field and formal lawn mowing services with The Greenskeeper for the 2005-mowing season.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the suspension of Board policy DO - School Property Disposal Procedure until August 26, 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the following software and professional services purchased from CompassLearning Inc:

100 Odyssey Enterprise software licenses and 30 ELL software licenses at a cost of $69,650.00.

Professional development services, material and software integration at a cost of $45,071.00.

Three-year software support for 300 licenses at a cost of $53,400.00.

Subtract price adjustments and discounts of $33,600.00.

Grand Total:  $134,521.00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the 5th Grade Morton School trip to Sherman Lake Camp in Augusta, Michigan on May 26-27, 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Benton Harbor High School Summer School Program for the 2004-2005 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Middle School Summer School Program for the 2004-2005 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education table Staff Report #9 Approval of Middle School Summer Enrichment Program.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the retirement notices of Mrs. Ruth Watson, Ms. Marie Hobson and Mr. Leon Schaddelee and that a letter is sent to them thanking them for their many years of service to the students and the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education authorize the reduction of up to thirty-five teaching positions.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Consent
Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mr. McGinnis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following grants and donations to the District for the 2004-2005 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Other
Following the regular meeting the Board of Education will recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel personnel issues.

Superintendent's Update
Group Director for Informational Technologies Bill Kaeding was commended for his leadership in the installation of the new Districtwide telephone system.

Michigan Senate Bill 246 calls for an annual funding increase of up to 5% or the rate of inflation for K-16 schools.

The District has projected a drop in student enrollment of approximately 400 students for the 2005-2006 school year, due to area company closings and the opening of another Charter School.

A press conference was held on Monday at Calvin Britain Elementary School with State Representative John Proos and Senator Ron Jelinek to reinforce the partnership with law enforcement and early childhood.  It is encouraging to see law enforcement officials discussing with youngsters the importance of staying in school and out of trouble.

A group of concerned parents and community leaders, lead by Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Cleveland, would like to meet and discuss with students the need for making good life choices.

Sixteen BHHS students have already enrolled in the 2004-2005 High School Summer School program to ensure their graduation.

The professional staff-recruiting season has begun due to retirements and the lack of qualified teachers.

Governor Jennifer Granholm has asked that flags fly at ½ mast in honor of all the Michigan soldiers who have been killed in the Iraq war.

Board Comments
Trustee Fort extended her appreciation for the preschoolers’ excellent performance and the privilege to watch athletic practices at the high school.

Trustee McGinnis asked that the Reality Check neon lights in the student commons be repaired.

Trustee Bowman commended the secondary division for the excellent educational offerings available in this year’s summer schools.

Trustee Smith stated that a local TV station is promoting the “Biggest Pothole Contest” and that she is nominating the one in the BHHS back parking lot.  She also commended those who attended the community appreciation dinner for the BHHS Mens Varsity Basketball team held last night.

The Board recessed to closed session at 7:45 p.m.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Mr. Robert L. Bowman, Mr. Dan McGinnis and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Absent:  Mr. Ken Woltman and Dr. Perry Davis

Also Present:  Dr. Paula Dawning, Dr. J. Leonard Wright, Ms. Nora Jefferson, Mrs. Ruth Watson, Attorney Gary A. Chamberlin and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

Neither Ms. Priscilla Scott nor her legal representative were present.

Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

THAT Ms. Priscilla Scott’s contract is not renewed and that her employment is terminated effective June 30, 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

There being no further business, the April regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.